Which party is typically responsible for issuing the Bill of Lading?

• A. Agent
• B. Master
• C. Shipper
• D. Receiver

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a bill of lading is a document created by the carrier or someone the carrier authorizes to issue it. It acts as a receipt, evidence of the contract of carriage, and, importantly, as a document of title for the goods. In practice, the carrier delegates this responsibility to an agent—such as a local office or a freight forwarder—who issues the bill of lading on the carrier’s behalf. The master of the vessel may be involved in loading and can provide information or endorsements, but the formal act of issuing the bill of lading lies with the carrier or its authorized agent. The shipper is the party arranging the shipment and appears on the document, but does not issue the bill of lading, and the receiver is the consignee who receives the goods, not the issuer.